'Stop running our lives'

A THIRD of Australians want their local state MP sacked, saying state governments should be abolished.

A Galaxy poll of more than 1000 people, conducted for The Daily Telegraph, reveals the level of disdain some have for our nation's politicians: one in two Aussies think governments are too meddlesome.

Forty-nine per cent said the government had too much "control and involvement" in people's lives, while 22 per cent wanted more government involvement in issues that affected quality of life.

About 30 per cent said the level was just right.

When asked whether state governments should be dismantled, 33 per cent replied yes, 44 per cent wanted them to remain in place and the remainder were uncommitted.

Social analyst David Chalke said people were "absolutely fibbing" when they said they wanted governments to step back, adding that people felt they should be left alone while "everyone else" needed regulating.

"If you say to people should there be health warnings on alcohol to stop people drinking too much, oh yeah, 80 per cent will say yes," Mr Chalke said.

"Should there be warnings on poker machines, about 85 per cent (say yes). We love people to set rules. Not for us, but for everyone else who breaks them."

He was surprised only one third of people wanted to disband state parliaments.

"We don't like politicians, we don't trust politicians ... so if anybody says should we get rid of a few, you're always going to get yes," he said.

The poll follows comments by former prime minister Bob Hawke and former Queensland premier Peter Beattie that state governments were outdated and should be scrapped.

The call prompted a tongue-in-cheek response from Prime Minister Julia Gillard on how much easier her life would be without dealing with premiers.

But Premier Barry O'Farrell defended the states as the most important level of government because it provides the basic service people rely on everyday".

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